Lawrence suspects released from jail one month early
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Two of the prime suspects for the murder of Stephen Lawrence are to be released a month early from prison under a home curfew scheme to ease overcrowding.
David Norris, 26, and Neil Acourt, 27, are to have electronic tags fitted after serving eight months of an 18-month sentence for racially abusing an black off-duty police officer.
They were expected to return yesterday to their homes in Eltham, south-east London, where they will be under a curfew from 7pm to 7am, in which they will not be allowed out of their houses. Ravi Chand, president of the National Black Police Association, criticised the move, saying: "Considering the current climate, the way we've seen rising xenophobia and racism and fear within the black communities, it is wholly inappropriate to release these people early."
The release is part of a Home Office initiative to reduce the record prison population. Normally, the men, among five suspects for the racist murder of the 18-year-old in Eltham in April 1993, would have had to serve half their sentence before being eligible for release from Elmley prison in Kent. The decision to release the men was made by the prison governor after a risk assessment. Anyone sentenced to less than four years can spend up to 90 days of their time under home curfew.
Acourt was jailed after he was convicted of driving a car at Detective Constable Gareth Reid in May 2001, while Norris hurled a drink and shouted "nigger" at DC Reid as he crossed a road in Eltham.
Chief Inspector Leroy Logan, the chairman of the Metropolitan Black Police Association, said: "We've got to question whether [Norris and Acourt] have learnt anything from all of this. We've got to be mindful of them reoffending."
He explained that DC Reid had been off work since early last year trying to resolve personal matters after the attack. The police officer's home address was disclosed to Acourt and Norris's defence team, which caused him great concern, he said.
The pair became notorious after the investigation into the death of Stephen, who was fatally stabbed when he and a friend were attacked by a gang of white youths.
Acourt and Norris were among five white men arrested. Acourt was cleared in 1996 of the murder after a private prosecution brought by the teenager's parents. The case against Norris was dropped before it went to court.